Sennheiser CX 300-II headphones review

Are these worth the upgrade?

Sennheiser CX 300-II headphones. Audio, Headphones, Sennheiser 0

Reviewer: Stuart Miles
Review Date: 27 February 2009
Manufacturer: Sennheiser
Price as reviewed: £45
Latest price: compare

Our score

9/10

Full Review

Okay so you've just bought a new MP3 player, chances are the headphones that came in the box aren't that great and while things are slowly getting better you can always do better. But are the CX 300-II from Sennheiser the answer? We plug-in to find out.

An upgrade to the CX 300s launched in 2006, the new headphones, the CX 300-II are lightweight at 4 grams; so lightweight that you'll probably forget that you've got them in. The design is simple - yes we know it's a single cable with two earbuds - but you'll be surprised how complicated these things can get.

The asymmetric cable is 1.2m long giving you plenty of room to tuck under a jacket. The right earphone loops around the back of your neck and the improved styling includes a flexible right-angle 3.5mm plug meaning you aren't likely to snap it off when it's attached to the player of your choice in your pocket. You also get a protective carry pouch that's basic, but keeps the wire getting snagged when it's in your bag.

The CX 300-II Precisions offer a new drive unit and capsule, claiming better bass, clarity and dynamics and in our listening we would have to agree with Sennheiser's claims. Everything from Dave Matthews Band to NOFX sounded great. The earphones produce a nice well-balanced tone and while they don't have the mellowness of some of the more expensive headphones on the market, at £45 you can't really complain. Well not too much any way.

The sound performance is helped by the tight fitting ear buds of which you get three different sizes in the box to fit your ear, and the result is that they block out outside noise. It's no noise-cancelling offering, but then you don't get that annoying hiss either.

Verdict

For those keen to improve their headphone performance, but not wanting to go the full hog of actually buying a pair that are more expensive than the MP3 player, the Sennhesier CX300-II are well worth checking out.

The lightweight design, good sound and cheap price means these get a thumbs up from us.

Full tags

Audio, Headphones, Sennheiser, Sennheiser CX 300-II

UK Shopping

advancedmp3players.co.uk, Amazon.co.uk, play.com, pixmania.co.uk, iTunes, apple.com/uk, ebay.co.uk

US Shopping

Amazon.com, bestbuy.com, ebay.com, apple.com

Comments

I have the original CX-300 and the are easily the best headphones I've ever had and I've been through a few as I always felt whichever ones I had just weren't up to scratch. Until I bought the Sennheisers, I couldn't find an 'in-ear' option from anyone that was comfortable; having different sizes is the sensible solution on offer here. Outside noise is blocked extremely well - just be careful whilst crossing roads ;-)

Not sure if the new version merits an upgrade from the old ones at £45 but for anyone looking to ditch the 'phones that came with their MP3 player and get something that does it justice, look no further. Posted by rogueelement, United Kingdom
Bought some cheaper in ear phones for £20...they were rubbish. Took them back and got these. They rock :-) Posted by Chris, UK
My original cx 300 broke so I bought these for replacement. They are pretty much the same great in ear phones they used to be, though there cleary is some more detail in sound. They're still very bass heavy so everyone might not like them though. Posted by Green, Finland